A student, whose mother died during her Leaving Certificate year, has shared her advice to young people starting sixth year.
"No matter what happens, you will be completely fine," she said.
Caoimhe Graham is set to receive her results this week after the "most difficult year of her life".
Her mother, Susan Fulham, died of motor neuron disease in November 2024 as her 18-year-old daughter was studying for her mocks.
Caoimhe was also hospitalised in the weeks leading up to the exam for a kidney disease called IgA nephropathy.
The Galway student documented on TikTok the realities of sitting the Leaving Certificate under these circumstances, determined to make students in similar situations feel less isolated.
She urged incoming sixth year students to remember that the exam is not the be-all and end-all.
Caoimhe's TikTok has garnered over 15,000 followers since she started posting study videos.
Study accounts on TikTok have rocketed in popularity where students show a day in their life in the run up to the exams.
However, Caoimhe feels that these accounts can often convey a perfect Leaving Certificate year that does not exist and put undue pressure on students.
"It kind of evolved and people got quite interested in my own life," she said. "I realised that the account was a bit of a glamourised version of life."
She started to post videos of her studying while visiting her mother in a hospice and even while in a hospital bed herself.
"When you're really stressed about studying, and you see another account studying for 14 hours a day, you wonder if it is even real," Caoimhe said.
"I think a lot of people connected to the more realistic side of it, because obviously no one is actually just perfect.
"I showed people that some days I do just lie in bed."
Caoimhe was surprised by how many people around Ireland supported her, including many students who were facing similar challenges themselves.
"I just kind of liked helping people," she said.
"People messaged me a lot, asking me for advice or tips.
"And there were a couple girls who was messaging me who were in a similar position of losing their parent during sixth year."
She advised them to get the support they need and not to fall for an image of perfection that is not real.
"On the days that it is just too heavy, sometimes just being alive is enough," she said.
"Getting through it and getting through the day is enough."
Caoimhe hopes to either study radiation therapy or advanced therapeutic technology in university.
"I want to be in healthcare or advanced healthcare so I can help people who are in a similar situation to ours and give people hope," she said.
"I want to make a difference in my own way."
When Caoimhe's mother became more ill, she found it hard to strike a balance between being with her family and not falling behind at school.
"I knew there was nothing in place for people like me," she said
"Instead of studying, I had to help around the house, do the cooking, the laundry, help my mother.
"It is a significant disadvantage."
However, everything took a turn for the worst and Caoimhe's priorities completely changed.
"I remember specifically sitting in LCVP class and I got a text from my sister, saying that they were bringing my mum back into the hospital because she was getting worse," she said.
"I was sitting in class and trying to concentrate. I didn't have my driving licence or a car and I live in a rural part of Ireland.
"I had to book a bus and walk down to the nearest town."
While on the bus, Caoimhe got word that her mother was being moved to a hospice and had less than a week to live.
"Before this mum had been asking me about grinds and what I got in my maths test.
"Even in the hospice, mum was asking questions about school.
"She knew my mocks were coming up. She knew my exams were coming up," Caoimhe said.
"And realistically the college system doesn't overly really care. It's a point system. That's just how it works."
Caoimhe has called for more support for students who go through a bereavement in sixth year and has been in contact with the Minister for Education.
"I won't be the last person. There will be somebody else. They shouldn't have to have that stress that we had," she said.
"I don't think anyone should have to sit in a hospice with their parent wondering how they are going to sit the exams or what disadvantage they will have."
Supports available
The Department of Education said that the Leaving Certificate can be a "stressful time for students" and it, along with the State Examinations Commission, seeks to "assist, help and support students, especially in the most challenging of times, such as a bereavement".
A spokesperson for the department said that there are a number of supports available to students in a similar situation.
"The Department of Education and Youth National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is available to schools for advice and to support school staff in their support of students," they said.
"NEPS also provide information in relation to Leaving Certificate students' wellbeing."
They said guidance counsellors are also available to provide holistic support for students during the year.
"They can provide a safe space and listen to the student. They can also support students to find a pathway to their chosen career area," the spokesperson added.
The department urged students who are unhappy with their results or are uncertain about their next steps that "many options remain open to them outside of the CAO".
They said the National Parents and Students Leaving Certificate Helpline will be available in the days surrounding the Leaving Certificate results and CAO Round One offers on 1800 265 165.
Students and parents can access this help by texting GUIDANCE to 086 1800685.
The spokesperson said that "in recognition of the really challenging situations which can arise for students during the examination period", the State Examinations Commission provides a "series of deferred Leaving Certificate examinations".
"Deferred examinations are available in certain circumstances (close family bereavement and serious illness, accident or injury) and subject to specific criteria," they added.
